DeBrincat's 1st-Period Hat Trick Sparks Red Wings' Win Over Sabres

Detroit scores 3 unanswered goals in the opening frame to defeat Atlantic Division leaders Buffalo.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:57am

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Alex DeBrincat's power-play goal sparked a three-goal first period for the Detroit Red Wings, who went on to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Friday night. Marco Kasper, Lucas Raymond, and Jacob Bernard-Docker also scored for Detroit, while Patrick Kane added an empty-netter. The Sabres' Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin scored in the loss.

Why it matters

The win moves the Red Wings into a tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just a point behind the New York Islanders for a playoff spot. The loss drops the Sabres, who lead the Atlantic Division, to 0-1-2 in their last three games.

The details

DeBrincat's power-play goal at 4:02 of the first period sparked Detroit's three-goal outburst in the opening frame. Kasper, Raymond, and Bernard-Docker also scored to give the Red Wings a 3-0 lead by the end of the period. Thompson and Dahlin scored for the Sabres, but it wasn't enough as Detroit held on for the victory.

  • DeBrincat's power-play goal came at 4:02 of the first period.
  • Kasper's goal made it 3-0 Detroit with 3:54 left in the opening period.
  • Thompson scored for Buffalo 5:35 into the second period to cut the lead to 3-1.

The players

Alex DeBrincat

Forward for the Detroit Red Wings who scored the opening goal on the power play to spark Detroit's three-goal first period.

Tage Thompson

Forward for the Buffalo Sabres who scored his 400th career point with a one-timer goal in the second period.

Rasmus Dahlin

Defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres who scored a goal in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We came out flat and undisciplined, and that's not the way we want to play. We need to be better from the start if we want to beat a team like Detroit.”

— Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres Defenseman

What’s next

The Red Wings will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night, while the Sabres will welcome the Seattle Kraken to Buffalo.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Red Wings' ability to capitalize on power-play opportunities and their resilience in holding off the Sabres' comeback attempt. For Buffalo, the loss is a reminder that they need to start games with more discipline and intensity if they want to maintain their lead atop the Atlantic Division.